How to calculate the "time cost" of a professional commitment?

Answer

Direct Response

**Time cost** is calculated by looking beyond the scheduled duration of a commitment. It includes the preparation time, the "context switching" drain, the recovery time required to regain deep-focus, and most importantly, the **Opportunity Cost**—the value of the next best activity you had to sacrifice. Munawar emphasizes that once time is spent, it is gone forever.

Detailed Explanation

A "one-hour meeting" rarely costs one hour. Munawar breaks it down:

• Preparation: The research or document review required before the meeting.
• Recovery: The 15-30 minutes of mental reset needed to get back into deep work after the disruption.
• Emotional Carryover: If a meeting is stressful, the time cost extends into your evening or next day as you process the interaction.
• The Sacrifice: If those 2 hours could have been spent on a high-leverage strategic plan that generates 10x value, the cost is that 10x value, not your hourly rate.

Practical Application

Treat your calendar like a bank account. If you wouldn't spend $5,000 on a frivolous item, don't spend 5 "time-weighted hours" on a frivolous meeting. Use aggressive boundaries to protect your time for the few activities that truly drive your purpose.

Expert Insight

"Time is the only resource we spend without knowing our remaining balance. Spend it with the reverence it deserves."